Rangers release Josh Hamilton after another knee injury

By SCHUYLER DIXON, AP Sports Writer

Updated 3:14 pm, Friday, April 21, 2017

Photo: Sarah Crabill, Getty Images

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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 04: Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers hits a single in the second inning during a game against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 4, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. less

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 04: Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers hits a single in the second inning during a game against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 4, 2015 in Arlington, ... more

Photo: Sarah Crabill, Getty Images

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The Texas Rangers' Josh Hamilton hits a single during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015. (Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS)

The Texas Rangers' Josh Hamilton hits a single during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015. (Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS)

Photo: Max Faulkner, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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Texas Rangers' Josh Hamilton points to the dugout celebrating after advancing to second on a run-scoring single against the Houston Astros in the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. The hit scored Adrian Beltre. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) less

Texas Rangers' Josh Hamilton points to the dugout celebrating after advancing to second on a run-scoring single against the Houston Astros in the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, in ... more

Photo: Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press

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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 03: Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers makes a sliding catch in the seventh inning during a game against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 3, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. less

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 03: Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers makes a sliding catch in the seventh inning during a game against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 3, 2015 in ... more

Photo: Sarah Crabill, Getty Images

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HOUSTON, TX - JULY 18: Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers hits a home run against the Houston Astros in the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park on July 18, 2015 in Houston, Texas.

HOUSTON, TX - JULY 18: Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers hits a home run against the Houston Astros in the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park on July 18, 2015 in Houston, Texas.

Photo: Bob Levey, Getty Images

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Texas hopes Josh Hamilton is pointed in the right direction after a week in which he homered twice in one game and had a game-winning RBI in another.

Texas hopes Josh Hamilton is pointed in the right direction after a week in which he homered twice in one game and had a game-winning RBI in another.

Photo: Brandon Wade, FRE

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Texas Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) bides his time in the team's dugout during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, July 29, 2012, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/John F. Rhodes) less

Texas Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) bides his time in the team's dugout during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, July 29, 2012, in Arlington, Texas. (AP ... more

Photo: John F. Rhodes, FRE

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As if having one of the most feared lineups in all of baseball wasn't enough, the Angels went out and signed slugger Josh Hamilton on Wednesday.

As if having one of the most feared lineups in all of baseball wasn't enough, the Angels went out and signed slugger Josh Hamilton on Wednesday.

Photo: Ronald Martinez, Staff

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Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers hits a solo homerun against the Seattle Mariners at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on September 14, 2012 in Arlington, Texas.

Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers hits a solo homerun against the Seattle Mariners at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on September 14, 2012 in Arlington, Texas.

Photo: Ronald Martinez, Getty Images

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Rangers release Josh Hamilton after another knee injury

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ARLINGTON (AP) — The Texas Rangers have released Josh Hamilton from his minor league contract after another knee injury, perhaps signaling the end of the 2010 AL MVP's career.

Team spokesman John Blake said Friday that Hamilton injured his right knee while recovering from left knee surgery and will have a procedure on the newly injured knee at some point.

Hamilton, who turns 36 next month, underwent reconstructive surgery on his left knee last June and left the team during spring training for another procedure after experiencing soreness.

The procedure during spring training was the 11th of Hamilton's career and third since the five-time All-Star last played in the majors in 2015.

Hamilton was the No. 1 overall pick out of high school in 1999. His career was almost derailed by drug and alcohol addiction before he made his big league debut with Cincinnati in 2007.